Uber Driver Drags Injuring Passenger When He Gave a Hug To His Gay Mate on The Backseat

By Checkey Beckford

News4 NY

It was supposed to be a quick Uber ride, but a gay Manhattan couple claims the driver turned on them, leaving them scarred in more ways than one.

Taray Carey and Alex from the East Village say the driver gunned the car, dragging one of them along the ground down a busy street and they said it all started from a hate-filled tirade.

The couple tells News 4 in an exclusive interview that it was a hug in the backseat that set the Uber driver into a hateful rage Tuesday night.

“He’s telling us in his country we would be beheaded and left for dead,” said Carey, who was left scrapes and bruises after he said he was dragged for half a block down East Fourth Street. Alex said he was still in the car, fearful.

“I said let me out let me out let me out just over and over until he stopped,” he said.

Police responded to the scene, but the couple claim they refused to investigate it as a hate crime, claiming cops told one of the men he “probably deserved it.” 

“I was very emotional,” Carey said.

The NYPD said bodycam footage shows that wasn’t the case.

“At no time did any of the officers mock the victim, tell him that he probably deserved it or laugh at him,” the NYPD said. Police also say Carey appeared drunk and insulted an officer. 

The police report shows the incident was labeled as a vehicle leaving the scene of an accident.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission says the driver’s livery license is still active until they are able to interview the couple.

Uber said it has removed the driver from its app. 

“What’s been reported is very concerning to us and Uber does not tolerate any form of discrimination,” the ridesharing company said in a statement.

Tonight I was thrown out of an #uber by a homophobe. I tried to step out, and he gunned it while my husband was still in the back seat. My friend jumped out when we got to a red light, while the #Uberdriver continued to call us faggots, and told us we would be beheaded in his country. This is not ok! If any of my friends see, Denis, license plate, #T751697C ToyotaCamry, do not ride with him! We called the police from the 9th precinct, and they did nothing but patronize us. Be aware, and stay safe. @ East Village, Manhattan